Blogs

Tax Law

Maximizing Year-End Charitable Giving and Gifting Strategies

As the year closes, a few deliberate moves before December 31 can deliver a powerful double benefit: current-year income-tax savings and longer-term estate planning advantages. With limits resetting on January 1, this is the moment to finalize transfers, confirm paperwork, and document your gifts. A well-designed combination of family gifts and charitable contributions can lower taxable income, reduce future estate exposure, and support people and causes you value. 1) Use the 2025 Annual Gift…

November 12, 2025

Employment Law

Using Criminal Background Checks in Hiring? Here’s What You Need to Know

In today’s highly competitive and compliance-driven hiring landscape, criminal background checks have become a standard part of the recruitment process for U.S. employers. According to recent surveys, more than 90% of employers conduct some form of background screening, with criminal history checks being among the most common. Over the past five years, the use of…

October 31, 2025

Employment Law

Contractor or Employee? What Every Virginia Builder Needs to Know Now

General contractors and subcontractors often retain companies and individuals to perform part of their scope of work. This can be done, obviously, by hiring employees or by hiring independent contractors. The question of whether an “independent contractor” is in fact an independent contractor is a repeat arena for disputes and risk in the form of…

October 30, 2025

Employment Law

How Employers Can Legally Manage Social Media in the Workplace

In today’s increasingly digital workplace, social media and employee privacy have become critical considerations for many employers. While platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram can offer valuable insights into prospective and current employees, the line between business interests and employee personal privacy is not always easy to discern. Navigating this balance requires employers to understand…

October 29, 2025

Divorce and Family Law

Updated Virginia Child Support Laws and the Impact on High Income Families

By Christian Lapham and Livia Paschke In July 2025, Virginia implemented its first major update to child support guidelines in more than a decade.[1] For families with higher earnings, these changes may significantly affect the amount of child support in cases filed both before and after July 1, 2025. For parents who either pay or receive child support in Virginia, understanding this updated Statute is essential for protecting your financial interests and ensuring your child’s needs are met.…

October 23, 2025

Divorce and Family Law

Preparing for Litigation: How Clients Can Set Themselves Up for Success

Going through litigation can feel daunting. Whether you’re facing a divorce, custody dispute, or another family law matter, the process can be emotional, time-consuming, and complex. While your attorney will guide you through each stage, there are important steps you can take to make the process more efficient and less stressful. The most successful clients are proactive, organized, and focused on what they can control. Below are a few key ways you can help yourself — and your attorney — as…

October 15, 2025

Employment Law

What’s Up When the Government is Shutdown: Employment Issues for Contractors

The federal government shut down that began last night at midnight will have an immediate adverse impact on thousands of federal sector workers across the United States. While the federal government is still funded to provide essential government services, such as Social Security checks and VA benefits payments, non-essential services will not be provided until…

October 1, 2025

Business and Financial Services

What Should a Nonprofit Board Member Think About Regarding a Merger or Acquisition?

Just like other businesses, nonprofits sometimes may need to think about potential merger and acquisition issues. In our legal practice, we have handled a number of affiliation deals or asset acquisitions involving nonprofits. This experience is consistent with what other sources report. Over the last five to ten years, the U.S. nonprofit sector has experienced…

October 1, 2025

Employment Law

Employee Leave and Time-Off Rights in Virginia: Navigating FMLA, PTO, and More

Employees will always need time away from work, whether for health, family, or civic obligations. Both federal and state laws provide leave rights and impose obligations on employers to ensure workers can take this time without risking their jobs. Understanding these requirements is essential for compliance and for maintaining a fair workplace. This guide breaks…

September 18, 2025

Employment Law

Rising National Guard Deployments: What Employers Need to Know

Military-related absences from the civilian workforce have surged in 2025, reaching their highest levels in nearly two decades. Much of this increase stems from National Guard activations for both federal and state missions. For employers, these absences create not only operational staffing challenges but also trigger legal obligations under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment…

September 15, 2025